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GEO/CZCP Workshop: Earth Observation Support for Sustainable Tourism in Small Island States

GEO/CZCP Workshop: Earth Observation Support for Sustainable Tourism in Small Island States The Biological Observing System: Capturing Changes in Ecosystems and Biodiversity Presenter, LaVerne E. Ragster, Ph.D. Professor of Marine Biology University of 1 1 1 1 1 1 the Virgin Islands

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GEO/CZCP Workshop: Earth Observation Support for Sustainable Tourism in Small Island States

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  1. GEO/CZCP Workshop: Earth Observation Support for Sustainable Tourism in Small Island States The Biological Observing System: Capturing Changes in Ecosystems and Biodiversity Presenter, LaVerne E. Ragster, Ph.D. Professor of Marine Biology University of 111111 the Virgin Islands San Juan, Puerto Rico March 8-11, 2011 GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  2. The Caribbean Context • Island microstates with typical constraints • Connected political, cultural, and linguistic diversity • Coastal ecosystems linked by ocean • High biological diversity, high level of endemism and high level of extinction GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  3. Trunk Bay, St. John USVI GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  4. Benners Bay Lagoon, St. Thomas USVI GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  5. Hurricane Hole, St. John USVI GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  6. Coral Reef Ecosystem GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  7. The Caribbean Context • Examples of Biodiversity in the Caribbean: • 630 species of reptiles and amphibians (99% & 93% endemism) • 560 species of birds (40 genera and 180 species endemic) • 188 endemic flora • Largest butterfly in Western Hemisphere –giant swallowtail butterfly (Jamaica) • 11% of world’s coral reefs (600 species of fish and 60 species of coral) GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  8. The Caribbean Context • Major economic activities based on natural resources: • Tourism • Coastal development projects • Fisheries • Agroforestry GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  9. The Caribbean Context • Challenges to Biodiversity in the Region: • Unsustainable exploitation • Poorly managed tourism (site, capacity issues) • Pollution (industrial and development practices) • Mining • Habitat destruction and conversion (urbanization) • Natural events (e.g., hurricanes, storms) • Introduction of alien species • Global warming, ocean acidification, sea level rise GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  10. Brewers Beach, St. Thomas USVI GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  11. Brewers Bay, St. Thomas USVI GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  12. Coral Bleaching in St. Croix, USVI GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  13. Coastal Development Emerald Beach, St. Thomas USVICC GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  14. Invasive Species GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  15. Invasive Species GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  16. The Biological Observing System: Research Gaps Assume further research on all species, habitats and processes protecting them. Focus on gaps relating to biodiversity management in context of climate change: • Long term monitoring of changes in coastal and marine ecosystems • Connectivity between systems in the Insular Caribbean • Modeling of circulation changes in the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, South and North Atlantic due to CC • Sea level and sea surface temperature data for all of the insular Caribbean • Source : CANARI, Climate Change and Biodiveristy in the Insular Caribbean, Working Group Report on Climate Change Impacts on Coastal and Marine Biodiversity (2008) GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  17. The Biological Observing System: Research Gaps (cont’d) • Ocean acidification • Diseases affecting corals, turtles, marine mammals • Invasive species • Algal blooms and plankton • Remediation techniques and ecosystem resilience • Species responses to changes in temperature Source : CANARI, Climate Change and Biodiveristy in the Insular Caribbean, Working Group Report on Climate Change Impacts on Coastal and Marine Biodiversity (2008) GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  18. Recommendations and Concerns from the Intergovernmental Level • UN Barbados Program of Action 1994 (BPOA) – addressed sustainable development from a sector perspective even as it made the case for an integrated approach to planning and development GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  19. Recommendations and Concerns from the Intergovernmental Level • Mauritius Strategy (MSI, 2004) also included: • Concern about preparedness for climate change evident • Linkages between tourism and coastal and marine biodiversity noted • Cross sector issues: linking national needs to regional projects and expenditures; increasing public awareness; research; stakeholder participation; improved policy and legal frameworks; improved use of technology; training and education in sustainable development • Emerging areas focused on social, economic, and environmental vulnerability of SIDS GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  20. Recommendations and Concerns from the Intergovernmental Level • Mauritius +5 Review: • Generally, countries have not produced National Sustainable Development Plans/Strategies , but there is integration of the issues in a number of other strategies (poverty, economic development, strategic development) • Insufficient capacity and funding to complete MSI goals • Using more regional data sources (GOOS), organizations (CCCCC) and projects (UNEP, GEF) • Insufficient financial assistance to implement MSI goals GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  21. What Now? • Some data exists in and on the region, access to it is a challenge • More is needed with a focus on adaptation to CC and sustainability and support of management questions arising from the MSI • Partnerships appear to be effective in collecting data and information; timing, cooperation, communication, follow-through, and leadership critical • Distribution and dissemination approaches inadequate for public, governments, and organizations • Regional intergovernmental forums and organizations need to see the value of GOOS and other research providers – what is the most useful forum? • Some successful models for creating synergy among different groups to generate and use data/information available (CANARI, others?) GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  22. Coastal Development GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  23. Magens Bay, USVI GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  24. GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

  25. Thank you. GEO/CZCP Workshop: The Biological Observing System

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